Advice please - getting the maximum from my EMBY Setup / Samsung HW-Q990C (Atmos and TrueHD)

[Robnaeyaert 22]

2 minutes ago, FrostByte said:

If you got Atmos and HDR to trigger and are happy that is good.  I believe running the Emby client on the NUC was one thing I did mention in that journal of long-winded information I gave you.  I just didn't have any experience with the Windows client and MPV, etc. to say how well it worked.  Though I would imagine it's probably better than using your Xbox as a client.

Yes, I've used quickmic's plugin and find it to be very good.  Basically, it sync's Emby's db with Kodi's and brings some capabilities along with it that Kodi doesn't provide.  If you like to play with skins and want more leeway in tweaking your client, the way you want it to look then the plugin may be for you.

Thanks @FrostByteit's definitely 'baby steps' for me as I hadn't really dug into all this before and your advice was amazing.  I dont mind forking out money for a good device but I had a nagging feeling I had all the ingredients I needed to get the most.  I must admit it wasnt very easy to get all the drivers and settings sorted on the Windows NUC but once I did I'm guessing it's a one-time thing (versus a Shield plug-and-play I'm assuming).  I dont watch streaming platforms I have all my media local on my NUC.

 

So one last request please - can you point me to the Kodi/quickmic's plugin info and where to source that so I can give that a try as a client?

 

[FrostByte 5541]

Here is the thread you will want to follow:

https://emby.media/community/topic/139523-embyforkodi-next-gen-12xx-support/

1. Load the Kodi Companion plugin from the Emby plugin library on your server
2. Download the 4 plugins of quickmic's from the first post in the link above
3. Install the Service plugin first in Kodi, then load the other 3 plugins in Kodi

If you have any question about the plugin post in the thread above and I'm sure someone will respond

[Robnaeyaert 22]

37 minutes ago, FrostByte said:

If you got Atmos and HDR to trigger and are happy that is good.  I believe running the Emby client on the NUC was one thing I did mention in that journal of long-winded information I gave you.  I just didn't have any experience with the Windows client and MPV, etc. to say how well it worked.  Though I would imagine it's probably better than using your Xbox as a client.

Yes, I've used quickmic's plugin and find it to be very good.  Basically, it sync's Emby's db with Kodi's and brings some capabilities along with it that Kodi doesn't provide.  If you like to play with skins and want more leeway in tweaking your client, the way you want it to look then the plugin may be for you.

@FrostByteso given all I have outlined and what I want to achieve (which is just smooth playback with maximum audio and video) would you recommend Kodi EmbyCon or Emby for Kodi (I think there are two paths - one just connects to my Emby server (EmbyCon) and the other (Emby Next Gen) creates its own database etc.  

I'm just after smooth playing of media

Edited 18 hours ago by Robnaeyaert

[FrostByte 5541]

1 minute ago, Robnaeyaert said:

@FrostByteso given all I have outlined and what I want to achieve (which is just smooth playback with maximum audio and video) would you recommend Kodi EmbyCon or Emby for Kodi (I think there are two patch - once just connects to my Emby server (EmbyCon) and the other (Emby Next Gen) creates it's own database etc.  

I'm just after smooth playing of media

I don't really have any experience using EmbyCon, just read through the threads some.  There is a post that compares the two, I just can't find it right now.  You may have found it already though.

I think E4K is more actively supported, but I'm sure they both work and both devs seem to be good guys.  E4K doesn't really create its own database, it syncs Emby's db with Kodi's.  Though I suppose that's kind of the same thing if all your information is coming from Emby.

EmbyCon is probably simpler I'm guessing.

If all you want is smooth playback though I'm not sure introducing another variable like Kodi would be the right thing.  The Emby client would probably be the most stable/smooth and introducing Kodi could introduce other issues.  Also, if you have Kodi issues then you may need to jump over there for any support for that. The guys here are mostly just going to assist with the plugin.  

The main advantage of using either plugin is probably going to be the ability to change the look of the client more. If you like to tinker try them both and try several skins out. 

 

[Robnaeyaert 22]

45 minutes ago, FrostByte said:

I don't really have any experience using EmbyCon, just read through the threads some.  There is a post that compares the two, I just can't find it right now.  You may have found it already though.

I think E4K is more actively supported, but I'm sure they both work and both devs seem to be good guys.  E4K doesn't really create its own database, it syncs Emby's db with Kodi's.  Though I suppose that's kind of the same thing if all your information is coming from Emby.

EmbyCon is probably simpler I'm guessing.

If all you want is smooth playback though I'm not sure introducing another variable like Kodi would be the right thing.  The Emby client would probably be the most stable/smooth and introducing Kodi could introduce other issues.  Also, if you have Kodi issues then you may need to jump over there for any support for that. The guys here are mostly just going to assist with the plugin.  

The main advantage of using either plugin is probably going to be the ability to change the look of the client more. If you like to tinker try them both and try several skins out. 

 

Thanks @FrostByte- interestingly my ChatGPT said regarding Kodi "Once Kodi is fully configured you'll likely find yourself using it for virtually all movie playback while continuing to use Emby Server as the backend that managed your media library.  This combination is widely regarded as one of the best Windows-based home theatre setups".

 

I take your point on introducing another app here as opposed to native Emby Theatre - I'm just trying to reconcile why Kodi would be considered "better" by ChatGPT over a pure Emby front and back end?

 

Thoughts?

 

[FrostByte 5541]

I would set it up and give it a whirl then if you're interested.   It really isn't going to hurt anything.  The nice thing about it is that you can use ET one time and Kodi the next.  They will either use the same db, or a synced copy of it (depending on which plugin you use) and you lose nothing.  Eventually you will find your favorite.

My guess is ChatGPT is recommending Kodi because it really has a lot more configurable or robust client.  Emby server with a Kodi client is a good combination if you like or want the ability to really get in the weeds and modify things and Kodi has been around for a long time.  Since Kodi is open source (including the skins) you have a lot more options in changing the way things look with the numerous skins or by modifying the code of those skins yourself by making a fork.  With Emby clients you can only tailor it so much via what's in the settings.

[FrostByte 5541]

Forgot to mention Kodi is not going to make things run smoother if that's your main goal.  I also can't think of any capabilities as far as playback Kodi has that Emby doesn't.  Maybe ISO playback is better, but I don't use those.  I think the main draw to Kodi is the capability to change the way it looks more than Emby allows.

[ebr 16507]

Hi.  Based on your original request, just get a Shield Pro and be done with it.  Your AI pointed out an HTPC as "full flexibility".  Well, that comes with full headache's as well.

The Shield is plug-and-play, will play all your sound formats and support all other streaming apps without you having to constantly fiddle and configure it.